Richard Cosway R.A. (British, 1742-1821)
A rare portrait miniature of the Muse Thalia, goddess of comedy and pastoral poetry, wearing white Classical robes fastened with pearls at her upper right thigh, gold armlet and pearl bracelet on her right arm, gold ankle bracelets, her brown hair loosely curled and upswept, she holds a pipe in her left hand and the mask of Comedy raised aloft in her right.
Gilt-metal frame, the reverse glazed.
Oval, 98mm (3 7/8in) high
Provenance: Sir Edward Henry Scott, 5th Baronet (1842-1883); his nephew, Sir Robert Claude Scott, 7th Baronet (1886-1961); Sotheby's, London, 27 November 1961, lot 17; Miss E. Clifford Smith; Christie's, London, 12 July 1988, lot 225.
Exhibited: D. Foskett, British Portrait Miniatures, The Arts Council of Great Britain (Scottish Committee), The Art Council Gallery, Edinburgh, 20 August - 18 September 1965, no.217, ill.pl.55, as 'The Muse Thalia'.
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